Frequently Asked Questions
Refer-a-Friend Program
We hope that your experience at the Northeast Center for Holistic Medicine has been a great one, and that you have seen your health improve! When this is the case, we encourage you to tell your friends and family. We’re sure you know of someone who could benefit from naturopathic medicine as much as you have!
As a token of appreciation, you will receive a 10% discount on your next follow up appointment for each new patient you send our way.
This offer may be applied towards your next office visit or phone appointment. This discount may not be applied towards supplements or lab fees, and may not be combined with any other offer.
What procedures and activities are involved with a first appointment?
Your first visit with any of the Naturopathic Doctors at the Northeast Center for Holistic Medicine will include a one-hour comprehensive health history including your physical, emotional, and spiritual health. From information gathered during the health history and any necessary physical exam, a therapeutic plan is developed to guide each patient to optimal health.
What should I bring with me to my first visit?
Please bring:
Your completed intake forms (download here).
Any copies of recent chart notes, lab results, or imaging reports related to your complaint/goal.
All medications, vitamins, herbs, and supplements that you take on a regular basis. If you have more than 10 medications and/or supplements, please bring in a list including the product name, manufacturer (for supplements), and dose.
What is a Naturopathic Doctor and what is their eduation?
The Naturopathic Doctors at the Northeast Center for Holistic Medicine are trained in primary preventive care medicine, meaning that they are the experts in staying healthy. They are also extensively trained in the safe use of herbal and nutritional medicines to treat your complaint. Naturopathic doctors believe that your body has the instinct and ability to heal itself, and so the therapies we use are to stimulate your body’s own healing processes. We also believe in finding the root cause of your symptoms, and treating that cause rather than trying to simply treat your symptoms.
Similar to when you see any other doctor, you can expect that your Naturopathic Doctor will take a thorough history, do some physical exam, and order any necessary lab tests to figure out why you aren’t feeling at your best. You may be pleasantly surprised to see the amount of time you spend with your naturopathic doctor, as the average face to face time is about 30 minutes.
The Naturopathic Doctors at NECHM are all licensed by the State of New Hampshire, which means that they have each completed a rigorous, 4-year medical program at one of the Naturopathic medical schools accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
Why does the first appointment need to be an hour long, even if I am coming in for a very specific or straightforward health concern?
Naturopathic medicine focuses on finding and treating the causes of illness, not just on relieving symptoms. It is important for your doctor to understand you as a person and to get a clear sense of how all aspects of your life come together to create your health in order to correctly address your current specific health concern. By getting a well-rounded picture, we treat your current symptom and also put you on the path toward lifelong optimal health.
How do I know if naturopathic medicine is the right choice for me? Can you treat my condition?
Naturopathic doctors are trained in primary preventative care and choose safe and effective natural therapies over prescription medications when possible.
If you are healthy, this is the best time to establish care at the Northeast Center! Our doctors will help you identify what you have been doing right, and help you make improvements so that you can continue to live a healthy life and age with grace.
The doctors at the Northeast Center for Holistic Medicine treat a wide variety of conditions, and chances are that they treat yours. Some commonly treated conditions include skin conditions, fatigue, digestive complaints, menstrual irregularities, infertility, heart disease and diabetes, obesity, hormonal imbalances, and pediatric care.
Can I see both a medical doctor and a naturopathic doctor? What if I am taking prescription medications?
Most patients that we see at the Northeast Center also have a conventional medical doctor, and many patients are on prescription medications when they come in to see us.
Our doctors undergo rigorous training in pharmacology, or the study of pharmaceutical medications, and are experts in preventing drug-herb and drug-nutrient interactions. Please be sure to tell all of your doctors what you are taking for medications, vitamins, herbs, and other supplements so that you can receive the safest care possible.
What do I do if I am a current patient and need to ask one of the doctors a quick question about my health care?
If you have a quick question regarding your health care at the Northeast Center for Holistic Medicine, please feel free to call the office during regular business hours. If your doctor is not available, they will get back to you as soon as possible. If you are having a medical emergency, please call 911.
I have never paid out-of-pocket for my medical expenses. Will my insurance reimburse me?
The Northeast Center for Holistic Medicine will provide you with documentation to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. It is up to you to discuss potential reimbursement with your insurance company before you come in for your first office visit.